The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016

Regulation 2

[F1 SCHEDULE 1A E+W+S Criteria determining the classification of equipment-groups into categories (Annex I to the ATEX Directive)

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1A inserted (31.12.2020) by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 25 para. 37 (with Sch. 25 para. 34) (as amended by S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

1.   Equipment group I E+W+S

(a) Equipment category M 1 comprises equipment designed and, where necessary, equipped with additional special means of protection to be capable of functioning in conformity with the operational parameters established by the manufacturer and ensuring a very high level of protection.

Equipment in this category is intended for use in underground parts of mines as well as those parts of surface installations of such mines endangered by firedamp and/or combustible dust.

Equipment in this category is required to remain functional, even in the event of rare incidents relating to equipment, with an explosive atmosphere present, and is characterised by means of protection such that:

• — either, in the event of failure of one means of protection, at least an independent second means provides the requisite level of protection,

• — or the requisite level of protection is assured in the event of two faults occurring independently of each other.

• Equipment in this category must comply with the supplementary requirements referred to in paragraph 30 of Schedule 1.

(b) Equipment category M 2 comprises equipment designed to be capable of functioning in conformity with the operational parameters established by the manufacturer and ensuring a high level of protection.

Equipment in this category is intended for use in underground parts of mines as well as those parts of surface installations of such mines likely to be endangered by firedamp and/or combustible dust.

This equipment is intended to be de-energised in the event of an explosive atmosphere.

The means of protection relating to equipment in this category assure the requisite level of protection during normal operation and also in the case of more severe operating conditions, in particular those arising from rough handling and changing environmental conditions.

Equipment in this category must comply with the supplementary requirements referred to in paragraph 31 of Schedule 1.

2.   Equipment-group II E+W+S

(a) Equipment category 1 comprises equipment designed to be capable of functioning in conformity with the operational parameters established by the manufacturer and ensuring a very high level of protection.

Equipment in this category is intended for use in areas in which explosive atmospheres caused by mixtures of air and gases, vapours or mists or by air/dust mixtures are present continuously, for long periods or frequently.

Equipment in this category must ensure the requisite level of protection, even in the event of rare incidents relating to equipment, and is characterised by means of protection such that:

• — either, in the event of failure of one means of protection, at least an independent second means provides the requisite level of protection,

• — or the requisite level of protection is assured in the event of two faults occurring independently of each other.

• Equipment in this category must comply with the supplementary requirements referred to in paragraphs 32 and 33 of Schedule 1.

(b) Equipment category 2 comprises equipment designed to be capable of functioning in conformity with the operational parameters established by the manufacturer and of ensuring a high level of protection.

Equipment in this category is intended for use in areas in which explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours, mists or air/dust mixtures are likely to occur occasionally.

The means of protection relating to equipment in this category ensure the requisite level of protection, even in the event of frequently occurring disturbances or equipment faults which normally have to be taken into account.

Equipment in this category must comply with the supplementary requirements referred to in paragraphs 34 and 35 of Schedule 1.

(c) Equipment category 3 comprises equipment designed to be capable of functioning in conformity with the operating parameters established by the manufacturer and ensuring a normal level of protection.

Equipment in this category is intended for use in areas in which explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours, mists, or air/dust mixtures are unlikely to occur or, if they do occur, are likely to do so only infrequently and for a short period only.

Equipment in this category ensures the requisite level of protection during normal operation.

Equipment in this category must comply with the supplementary requirements referred to in paragraphs 36 and 37 of Schedule 1.]